Chương 158: Chapter 157: Desperation Shows Who Truly Cares!

"This is the spot. The properties of the poison fog have just changed; no need to wait..." Fang Xi raised his hand, conjuring a mass of blood fog and handing it to Ye Chen: "Quickly discern its properties and concoct the corresponding antidote pill!" As he spoke, he also produced a stack of previously prepared herbs. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow but didn't say much. After receiving the blood fog, he used his spirit sense to analyze it, quickly raising his eyebrow again.

The fog seemed to be concocted from the blood of various demons and humans. It directly affected the flesh and spirit sense with extreme toxicity and could even erode spiritual power. The different blood mixtures brought about varied toxicities. No wonder an alchemist's presence was necessary. However, with his understanding as a second-grade alchemist at the peak level, Ye Chen quickly devised a countermeasure.

Pulling a pill furnace from his storage ring, Ye Chen selected dozens of herbs from the provided materials and began his alchemy. Watching Ye Chen operate with a pill furnace that seemed to be made of white jade, both Fang Xi and Pei Ling displayed shocked expressions. Is that a Snow Spirit Stone-made, second-tier top-grade pill furnace? The selling price was at least two hundred high-grade spirit stones. Even within the Divine Will Sect, few were willing to invest in such a precious pill furnace.

How could Ye Chen afford such extravagance? This undoubtedly darkened both of their expressions. Here was a lower sect cultivator, someone who should be beneath them, yet using medicinal pills and treasures far surpassing those of the Divine Will Sect direct disciples. This was a blow to their pride. Recalling Ye Chen's disregard for their earlier hints, a shadow passed through their eyes.... Ye Chen's alchemy was swift. In just half an hour, he had completed his task, producing four high-grade antidote pills.

Observing the perfectly rounded pills, the group held them in their hands, looking expectantly at Ye Chen. Without saying much, Ye Chen popped one of the pills into his mouth and confidently stepped into the blood fog. Seeing that he was unaffected, the others quickly followed suit, swallowing their pills and entering the mist after him. Pei Ling scanned their surroundings and spoke, "Before we reach the Lotus Pond, we must first navigate through the Bewildering Forest. Those of weak will might get lost within.

The three of us should have no issues; it will just take some effort to pass, but it might not be the same for someone from a lower sect. Based on our information, even in the best scenario, it would take three days to go there and back. With the poison fog changing every day, we must keep this person with us." The "lower sect person" he referred to was naturally Ye Chen. The trio from the Divine Will Sect was confident in their status as true disciples, clearly only concerned about Ye Chen's capability.

Upon entering the Lotus Nurturing Garden, An Yuyi was visibly excited, eager to obtain the treasures within. Upon hearing Pei Ling's comments, she frowned and then turned to Fang Xi, "Brother Fang, with your strong will and formidable strength, could you please ensure he gets through safely?" The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Fang Xi smiled at the request, "Of course!" He then conjured a magical rope, tying one end around his wrist and sending the other towards Ye Chen.

"Grab onto the rope. No matter what you see, don't pay attention to it, don't stop, just follow me. Understood?" Fang Xi instructed. Ye Chen nodded in agreement. Looking at the rope, the idea of being tethered to another man was slightly repulsive to him. So, he imagined it as if he were walking a dog from his past life. That thought lightened his mood considerably. As for the others' condescending tones, Ye Chen didn't care. He wasn't in the mood to shock them just yet.

He'd wait until he understood what the treasures were. The group moved forward, and soon Ye Chen saw the so-called Bewildering Forest described by the others. Endless trees, densely packed like an ancient forest, stretched out before them, seemingly without end. Most strikingly, these trees had no branches, only blood-red vines that hung thickly. At a glance, it resembled a sea of blood.

"Let's go!" Pei Ling, holding a formation compass, led the way into the forest. An Yuyi, her body shimmering with a faint glow, quickly followed him into the depths. Fang Xi, with a broad grin, turned to Ye Chen, "Keep up closely now, Ye Chen!" With those words, he strode ahead confidently. Ye Chen, holding the rope, followed leisurely and soon entered as well. Upon entering, Ye Chen immediately sensed something was amiss.

Fang Xi was only about five meters ahead, but once inside the Bewildering Forest, a strange force distorted his vision, limiting it to roughly a meter around him. Not only could Ye Chen not see Fang Xi's figure, but he also couldn't even sense his presence. This forest indeed had some tricks. However, the next moment, Ye Chen's eyes flashed, and his vision cleared. He could see everything from Fang Xi's back to the surroundings clearly. Ye Chen casually led on the rope, examining the blood-colored vines.

These vines twisted like dreamy blood serpents. They moved slowly, and as long as one kept moving, they generally wouldn't attack. But soon, illusions began to appear before Ye Chen... The Bewildering Forest could affect one's mind, showing individuals what they most desired and causing them to indulge in it. Now, Ye Chen saw his master... His master appeared to be rising from a pond. Seeing this energized Ye Chen.

However, as Fang Xi continued forward, pulling the rope taut, Ye Chen had no choice but to take a few more longing glances and continue forward... Just as Ye Chen was pondering what other thrilling scenes might appear, Fang Xi's voice echoed, "Ye Chen, can you concoct top-grade Clear Meridian Pills?" Ye Chen replied with a smile, "Of course!" At this, delight spread across Fang Xi's face.

He had once suffered severe spiritual energy corruption during an expedition, which posed a significant hurdle to his future core formation. High-grade Clear Meridian Pills had proven ineffective; he needed top-grade pills, and at least twenty of them. But Clear Meridian Pills were niche, and there were no second-grade alchemists specialized in these pills within the Divine Will Sect, certainly none who could produce top-grade. And a third-grade alchemist? Fang Xi couldn't afford one.

Now, hearing that Ye Chen could concoct them, Fang Xi was overjoyed: "After this mission, you'll concoct twenty for me! I haven't prepared materials, you'll cover the upfront costs! I'll pay you back later!" Ye Chen's smile widened, and then he replied without hesitation, "Oh, then I can't!" I'm your father? You think I'll just do as you ask? Fang Xi's face turned ashen. He gave a dark look backward. Instantly, the spiritual rope on Fang Xi's wrist unwound and then magically tied itself to a vine.

With a sinister smile, Fang Xi strode away. Ye Chen, seeing all this, casually dropped the rope and grinned at Fang Xi's retreating figure. Clearly, Fang Xi hadn't intended to kill him. Most likely, he wanted to scare Ye Chen into compliance. But here's the thing—the poison fog in the garden changed every twelve hours. And Ye Chen possessed a complete set of top-grade magical treasures resistant to all poisons, gifted by his master. Whether he had the antidote pill or not didn't matter.

But it wasn't the same for them. Ye Chen wasn't in any hurry. Leisurely, he took a different path. Soon, another illusion appeared. His master slowly emerged from the water, smiling sweetly at him. But Ye Chen shook his head, "This illusion is too cliché, my master would never make such a flirtatious smile..." Saying so, Ye Chen's spirit sword slashed through the encroaching blood vines. He continued to critically assess the illusions before him…